Sun
The amount of sunlight this product needs daily in order to perform well in the garden. Full sun means 6 hours of direct sun per day; partial sun means 2-4 hours of direct sun per day; shade means little or no direct sun.

Full Sun

Height
The typical height of this product at maturity.

12-16 inches

Spread
The width of the plant at maturity.

4-6 inches

Ornamental Use
Ways in which the product may be used in the garden for ornamental effect.

Beds, Borders, Container, Cut Flowers

Life Cycle
This refers to whether a plant is an annual, biennial or perennial. Annuals complete their life cycles in one year; biennials produce foliage the first year and bloom and go to seed the second year; perennials can live for more than two years.

Annual

Growth Habit
The genetic tendency of a plant to grow in a certain shape, such as vining or bush like.

Start IndoorsStart Indoors
Starting seeds indoors is called Indoor Sow or Indirect Sow and these dates are when to sow seeds indoors in the spring or summer

TransplantTransplant
When to transplant bulbs or roots in the garden for spring

Start OutdoorsStart Outdoors
Starting seeds outdoors is called Outdoor Sow or Direct Sow and these dates are when to sow seeds outdoors in the spring or summer

Start Indoors FallStart Indoors Fall
Starting seeds indoors in the fall called Indoor Sow or Indirect Sow and these dates are when to sow seeds outdoors in the fall

Transplant FallTransplant Fall
Transplant Fall-When to transplant bulbs or roots in the garden for fall

Start Outdoors FallStart Outdoors Fall
Starting seeds outdoors in the fall is called Outdoor Sow or Direct Sow and these dates are when to sow seeds outdoors in the fall

First Date: Feb-08 - Last Date: Feb-22

First Date: May-09 - Last Date: May-16

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Growing information

How to Sow and Plant

Stock may be grown from seed sown early indoors and transplanted outside after frost

Sowing Seed Indoors:

Sow stock indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost

Sow ¼ inch deep in seed-starting formula

Keep the soil moist at 60-65 degrees F

Seedlings emerge in 10-20 days

Firm lightly and keep evenly moist

As soon as seedlings emerge, provide plenty of light on a sunny windowsill or grow seedlings 3-4 inches beneath fluorescent plant lights turned on 16 hours per day, off for 8 hours at night. Raise the lights as the plants grow taller. Incandescent bulbs will not work for this process because they will get too hot. Most plants require a dark period to grow, do not leave lights on for 24 hours.

Seedlings do not need much fertilizer, feed when they are 3-4 weeks old using a starter solution (half strength of a complete indoor houseplant food) according to manufacturer’s directions.

If you are growing in small cells, you may need to transplant the seedlings to 3 or 4 inch pots when seedlings have at least 2 pairs of true leaves before transplanting to the garden so they have enough room to develop strong roots

Before planting in the garden, seedling plants need to be “hardened off”. Accustom young plants to outdoor conditions by moving them to a sheltered place outside for a week. Be sure to protect them from wind and hot sun at first. If frost threatens at night, cover or bring containers indoors, then take them out again in the morning. This hardening off process toughens the plant’s cell structure and reduces transplant shock and scalding.

Transplanting in the Garden:

Plant in the garden after all danger of frost has passed.

Select a location in full sun in a rich, moist, well-drained soil.

Prepare the bed by turning the soil under to a depth of 8 inches. Level with a rake to remove clumps of grass and stones.

Most plants respond well to soils amended with organic matter. Compost is a wonderful form of organic matter with a good balance of nutrients and an ideal pH level, it can be added to your planting area at any time. If compost is not available, top dress the soil after planting with 1-2 inches of organic mulch, which will begin to breakdown into compost. After the growing season, a soil test will indicate what soil amendments are needed for the following season.

Dig a hole for each plant large enough to amply accommodate the root ball.

Place the top of the root ball even with the level of the surrounding soil. Fill with soil to the top of the root ball. Press soil down firmly with your hand leaving a slight depression around the plant to hold water.

Water thoroughly, so that a puddle forms in the saucer you have created. This settles the plants in, drives out air pockets and results in good root-to-soil contact.

Keep weeds under control during the growing season. Weeds compete with plants for water, space and nutrients, so control them by either cultivating often or use a mulch to prevent their seeds from germinating.

Mulches also help retain soil moisture and maintain even soil temperatures. For annuals an organic mulch of shredded leaves lends a natural look to the bed and will improve the soil as it breaks down in time. Always keep mulches off a plant’s stems to prevent possible rot.

Plants need about 1 inch of rain per week during the growing season. Use a rain gauge to check to see if you need to add water. It's best to water with a drip or trickle system that delivers water at low pressure at the soil level. If you water with overhead sprinklers, water early in the day so the foliage has time to dry off before evening, to minimize disease problems. Keep the soil moist but not saturated.

Until plants become established, some protection from extreme winds and direct, hot sunlight may be necessary. Good air movement is also important.

After new growth appears, a light fertilizer may be applied. Keep granular fertilizers away from the plant crown and foliage to avoid burn injury. Use low rates of a slow release fertilizer, as higher rates may encourage root rots.

Remove spent flower heads to keep plants flowering until fall.

Monitor for pests and diseases. Check with your local Cooperative Extension Service for pest controls recommended for your area.

Remove plants after they are killed by frost in fall to avoid disease issues the following year.

Stock requires cool temperatures to flower and will not form new blooms when temperatures rise above 65 degrees F.

Tall cultivars may need staking, although the stems are generally strong.

Stock is useful for beds, borders, and containers, but is best grown for cutting and for its exquisite fragrance.

Stock is an ideal choice for a cottage garden.

Grow tall cultivars in a cool greenhouse for winter cut flowers.

Product Details

Sun

Full Sun

Height

12-16 inches

Spread

4-6 inches

Ornamental Use

Beds, Borders, Container, Cut Flowers

Life Cycle

Annual

Growth Habit

Bush

Sow Method

Indoor Sow

Flowering

Yes

Bloom Duration

12 weeks

Flower color

White

Reviews

Stock, Katz Fragrant Mix is rated
2.8 out of
5 by
4.

Rated 5 out of
5 by
diane2410 from
Matched description and has performed very well.Katz Stock has performed well for me; was exactly as expected. Germination rate was prolific. I transplanted close to thirty plants and gave the same amount away and still have plenty of seeds for next year.
Spring turned hot early this year but the Katz Stock is still performing well. Most Stock have an average of 50% "doubles" versus the "single" blooms. My Katz are well over that average for the double flowers; I would say at least 90% are doubles with a nice variety of colors.
I could not ask for anything more and will definitely purchase again.

Date published: 2018-06-16

Rated 2 out of
5 by
Mememe from
Not happy at allThe first pack was empty. Second, I only had 12 seeds germinate. Of which none survived.

Date published: 2017-08-20

Rated 1 out of
5 by
robbaroo from
Beautiful but disappointing overallI love this fragrant flower but was disappointed when only one plant grew from seeds. The plant that did grow was colorful and fragrant. I'd be willing to try growing this again next year in the hope that I'll have better results.

Date published: 2017-07-15

Rated 3 out of
5 by
Garden Lover from
Will try againI bought the seeds. Seedlings came up very quickly but then died after being up for two weeks. Will try again as I love to buy stock but my new location does not sell them.